HarperCollins is challenging the methodology behind the newest advisory from the Rainforest Action Network that some of its children’s books contain paper harvested from vulnerable Indonesian rainforests. According to RAN, a test conducted in November of seven HC titles found three with “significant” quantities of acacia fiber that is mainly sourced from Indonesian rainforest and trace amounts in “several” others.

Until recently, one could be forgiven for not being aware of the direct connection between the consumption of palm oil and the imminentthreat of extinction facing orangutans in Indonesia. But for companies like Cargill that are at the center of this controversy, this excuse is running out.

One of the RSPO’s principles is to abide by local regulations, meaning member palm oil producers have committed to avoiding planting on peat lands. However, RSPO members have not agreed to a definition for peat land for the purposes of CSPO.

Rainforest Action Network said, in a statement, that it received a letter from Cargill saying the company has been trying to work with the advocacy group for more than four years. RAN published a statement it said was received by Cargill that said "RAN refuses to have a constructive engagement" about environmental issues.

San Francisco, CA – A number of false and misleading statements by HarperCollins and members of the press have been made since Rainforest Action Network (RAN) released the results of independent forensic fiber tests on December 12, 2012. The lab tests showed that a number of HarperCollins’ popular books contained paper fiber connected to rainforest destruction. RAN is releasing this statement to clarify our position and set the record straight.